Chapter 646: Albert's Schemes
Chapter 646: Albert's Schemes
"Why do we have to hole up here and work on our holiday assignments?"
The next day at noon, Fred finally reached his limit. He threw down his quill, propped his chin on his hand, and gazed out the library window with a grumble. "That rascal Albert has snuck off on his own."
"He's probably almost done with his holiday work." Lee Jordan said without looking up, "If you finish your assignments, you can go out and wander around too."
"You should go complain to Professor Dumbledore and ask him why he didn't cancel the exams for the other classes while he was at it." George put down his quill and said to Fred and Lee Jordan, "Then we wouldn't have to be cooped up in the library doing holiday work on such a nice day."
"That's obviously impossible." Fred turned his gaze from the window and looked at the Harry-Hermione-Ron trio who were whispering to each other a short distance away. He asked curiously, "Have you guys come up with any good ideas?"
"We have some leads, but this is something that can only be done once." Hermione looked around and lowered her voice. "If the plan fails, they'll definitely be on guard, and it'll be even harder to succeed next time."
"What's your plan?" Lee Jordan also stopped writing and looked up at Hermione, always interested in mischief.
Fred and George were equally curious about how Hermione intended to make the Malfoy family lose their house-elf.
"Send him a piece of clothing, like a stinky sock." Harry took over from Hermione, using 'him' to refer to Lucius Malfoy.
After being repeatedly educated by Albert, Harry had gradually developed a sense of secrecy.
"If he opens the package and sees a stinky sock inside, he'll probably be so angry that he'll throw it away. As long as we make sure the house-elf is there to receive the package, it will count as receiving the 'clothing' inside."
"It's worth a try." Fred thought for a moment and reminded them, "But wizarding families usually make sure their house-elves don't handle clothing. It would be best if you could get that house-elf to cooperate with your plan, and don't let him know there's a sock in the package. Otherwise, he'll definitely make the house-elf handle that disgusting package full of trash. If the house-elf takes the package and takes out the sock, he'll be free."
"I think your plan is unreliable." George grumbled.
"Then what do you think is more reliable?" Hermione retorted.
"Of course, it's to get Albert to speak up and curse that guy to lose his house-elf." George and Fred looked at each other and said in unison, "Believe me, there's nothing more vicious than Albert's 'curse'."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were speechless. This wasn't the first time they had heard Fred and George tease Albert about his mouth.
What could they say? Most of what he said did come true.
The latest victim was the unlucky Lockhart. Fred, George, and Lee Jordan even suspected that Lockhart's bad luck might be due to something Albert had said.
"Where's Albert?" Hermione asked.
"He's probably on a date. Do you have business with him?" Fred turned to Hermione and winked playfully. He felt that after being "saved" by Albert, Hermione was very likely to become his admirer.
"I heard that he said Professor Lockhart is a..." Hermione hesitated. To be honest, she found it hard to accept that Professor Lockhart was a fraud.
"Oh, that fraud!" George had long ago decided that Lockhart was a fraud.
"Well, the truth is often cruel." Fred spread his hands helplessly. "According to Albert, those stories Lockhart wrote weren't his experiences at all. He stole other people's achievements and even used the Obliviate curse on them despicably, making them forget about those events so he could claim them as his own."
"It's really hard to believe." Hermione muttered.
"I don't think Albert needs to smear a professor!" Ron supported Albert on this matter. "You should know better than anyone how incompetent Lockhart was at teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"We even suspect that Professor Dumbledore might have known about all this. When the headmaster heard Albert mention it, he remained very calm and didn't even try to defend Lockhart. You should've seen Professor McGonagall's expression; it was quite something."
In their description, Lockhart had become an extremely despicable fraud of a writer.
"He deserves what he got!" Harry grumbled, feeling no sympathy for Lockhart after hearing about his deeds from Albert.
"I heard he's turned into a poor thing who can't even speak or walk properly and needs someone to take care of him for the rest of his life at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries." Lee Jordan seemed quite pleased with Lockhart's fate. Earlier that morning, he had even seen Madam Pomfrey send Lockhart away personally.
Hermione wasn't foolish. Of course, she knew that most of the students and professors in the school disliked Lockhart.
Last night, when Professor Dumbledore had announced that Lockhart couldn't continue as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, the smiling faces of the professors sitting in the seats had made it clear how unpopular he was.
"What a poor thing." Fred's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
"I also know that another poor thing will appear in the school soon!" George said mysteriously.
"Who?" Ron, who had been focusing on copying his assignment, couldn't help but ask.
"Kenneth Towler!" Fred and George both laughed with ill-intent.
"The guy who sells amulets?" Harry had some impression of Kenneth Towler, the black market merchant. He had spent over a dozen galleons to buy that amulet from him.
The last time, he had even used it to trick Malfoy during the Dueling Club.
"Kenneth has been trying to make a fortune by selling amulets. Now that the attack incident is over, I dare say he's stuck with a bunch of amulets that no one wants." George knew that Kenneth Towler had made a small fortune selling amulets.
"He even wanted to ask Albert to make a batch for him.
Lee Jordan suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but snort with laughter. "I bet Albert saw this coming and refused to collaborate with him. That guy was completely oblivious, he deserved to lose money."
"No, it's his own greed that did him in, and he got what he deserved for running into a troublemaker like Albert," Fred, George, and Lee Jordan all felt the same way about Kenneth Towler. They didn't blame Albert for not telling Kenneth the truth.
Albert, who was unanimously deemed a troublemaker, was now receiving a reproachful stare from Isabelle, who was displeased with his reckless behavior.
"I've never liked taking risks," Albert said solemnly. "And I don't do anything without preparation."
"Plans rarely survive first contact," Isabelle snapped, pushing away Albert's sneaking hand. "That was a snake-like creature. You almost died. Do you know that my heart skipped a beat when I heard you were attacked?"
"Let me listen to your heartbeat then," Albert leaned towards Isabelle's chest, "If it has stopped, I can give you CPR."
"Stop fooling around!" Isabelle pushed Albert's head away and complained, "Gryffindors are always eager for adventure, no matter what form it takes."
"Alright, don't be angry. Let's go over there!" Albert pointed to a flower bed blooming with flowers in the courtyard as he noticed a group of giggling girls approaching.
Isabelle guessed the reason for their giggles.
"I wonder why girls are so curious," Albert teased himself, "Could my charm be that irresistible?"
"You've never been this popular before. Don't forget, you're also an International Wizard Chess Champion and have published numerous articles in magazines," Isabelle didn't disagree, standing up and following Albert towards a secluded flower bed away from the girls. "And, you're not hard to look at either."
"I'd prefer it if you said I was handsome."
"Handsome?" Isabelle stopped and stared at Albert for a long moment before reaching out to cup his face and examine him seriously, "Maybe 'pretty boy' would be a more fitting description."
"Only those who are jealous of me would call me a pretty boy, and no matter where you go, girls prefer pretty boys." Albert didn't mind the label at all. "Perhaps they should see my heroic side. Compared to most of the rugged boys in school, I can obviously provide a greater sense of security. At least, most people who know me think I'm reliable. Hmm, why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's rare to see you being so narcissistic!" Isabelle snorted with laughter.
"I'm just stating facts," Albert rebutted indignantly. "Young girls care about looks, but as they mature, they value fame, money, and power more. That's the real charm. As for talent, to my knowledge, the number of Muggle-born wizards who have become Minister of Magic throughout history can be counted on one hand."
"Don't be so cynical about girls!" Isabelle raised an eyebrow, clearly unhappy with such a biased view.
"No, I'm just being realistic." Albert didn't want to dwell on this any longer. "I'm well aware of my strengths."
"Famous and talented?"
"A wealthy, famous, talented, and handsome young man is bound to be popular with the ladies," Albert said without a hint of embarrassment. "As for power, I don't think I'm boasting when I say that no one can compete with me for the position of prefect and student council president."
"Last night, Mr. Broderick hinted to me that when I come of age, I will be a candidate for the Wizengamot. Hmm, I guess I'm following in Professor Dumbledore's footsteps, and I have an even better chance than the headmaster."
Despite there being no precedent of a Muggle-born wizard becoming a member of the Wizengamot, it was not an impossible feat for the Wildsmith family.
By the time Albert came of age, his achievements would not end there. Even if some members of the Wizengamot opposed him, they would have to grudgingly acknowledge his status, for he had a lot of backing.
This was one of the hidden advantages of being an heir.
Otherwise, it would be unimaginable for a talented Muggle-born wizard to become a member of the Wizengamot.
Although Albert didn't care much for that position, as he found the British wizarding world rather insignificant and held no interest in involving himself in it.
"So, according to you, I got myself a great deal?" Isabelle asked with a hint of amusement after hearing Albert's explanation.
"Just remember that!" Albert proudly held Isabelle's hand and led her to a secluded corner, where the lush flowers shielded them from the gaze of the other girls.
Isabelle rolled her eyes and teased, "Side effects of drinking too much Felix Felicis?"
"Felix Felicis is indeed a wonderful thing," Albert whispered, "But it's a pity that it's so difficult to brew."
"Don't you still have some left?" Isabelle said impatiently, "You can't drink too much of that stuff anyway."
"Sometimes, a few minutes of good luck can save your life," Albert said meaningfully, as he had once considered turning Felix Felicis into "fish liver oil" pills. In times of need, one could take a pill and gain half an hour of good luck, thus avoiding the toxicity of the potion.
"The next few years may not be peaceful," Albert explained quietly, noticing Isabelle's confusion.
"Oh great prophet, have you foreseen something again?" Isabelle plucked a flower from the flower bed and asked casually.
"Chaos and war. This incident is just a prelude." Albert spoke mysteriously, "It's related to the mysterious person and Harry Potter. I remember mentioning this to you before."
At times, Albert felt he was becoming quite adept at being a charlatan.
"Oh, so it has nothing to do with you?" Isabelle poked Albert's chest with her finger and reminded him, "Harry Potter is the savior, not you."
"I know I'm not, but no one can stay out of it," Albert said with a smile. "Turmoil is a disaster for everyone, but it's also an opportunity. I'll be prepared in advance."
"He's always so mysterious," Isabelle muttered. She didn't like the so-called turmoil, but she didn't deny the information Albert had revealed.
This guy was always so enigmatic, like a closed book that made people want to sneak a peek at its contents.
Undeniably, that air of mystery was quite alluring.
"That's how prophecies are; those who peer into destiny always end up looking mysterious themselves," Albert said with a wink. "In your words, it's putting on airs."
"I think you were just lying to me," Isabelle said, staring into Albert's eyes.
"No, I was telling the truth," Albert assured her, not batting an eye.
"A skilled liar can deceive with the truth," Isabelle nearly called Albert a liar, especially since he liked to deceive people in certain ways.
"I've never lied to you!" Albert was about to bare his heart to Isabelle.
"I heard you're a player, flirting with every girl you meet."
"Who said that!"
"Some guy who wants three or four girlfriends. Apparently, you've already exceeded that number."
"How could you slander me like that?" Albert pretended to be angry. "Besides, I've never made a move on Katrina."
Although that was the dream of most men, Albert was self-aware. Compared to a forest, he knew it was more practical to choose a single tree.
At that moment, an owl landed in front of them, breaking the atmosphere they had created.
Albert took the note and read its contents.
Hagrid was inviting him for afternoon tea, apparently to thank him for his help.
"Shall we go together?"
"No," Isabelle shook her head. "I think you two have some private matters to discuss. I'll see you tonight then!"
"Next semester, you'll be graduating, won't you?" Albert suddenly asked.
"What's it to you?"
"Maybe I should buy a house in Hogsmeade."
"Do you have a lot of galleons?"
"Don't forget, I'm a seer. I can easily make a fortune with a simple prophecy." Albert added, "Of course, if we can find the Vanishing Cabinets, we can meet often in Hogsmeade, and you won't have to worry about other girls taking me away."
Isabelle rolled her eyes and retorted, "Do other girls want to take you away?"
"No."
"Then why should I worry?"
Albert couldn't refute her logical argument, but he knew Isabelle would agree.
After parting ways with Isabelle, Albert went alone to Hagrid's hut.
"Where's your girlfriend? Why did you come alone?" Hagrid was surprised to see Albert by himself, so he asked curiously.
"You noticed?" Albert raised an eyebrow.
"When it comes to chasing girls, you're much better than Harry's father. He had to work hard to pursue Lily," Hagrid said nostalgically.
"What was he like?" Albert asked, curious about James, Harry's father. "I mean, Harry's father."
"He was smart, loved causing trouble, but James was a good man," Hagrid reminisced. "Lily was a good person, too."
"So, you saw someone you knew in Azkaban?" Albert already knew whom Hagrid had met in Azkaban, so he asked, "What was that place like?"
"It was terrible, awful. Thank you for getting me out of that hellhole so early. I never want to see those Azkaban guards again," Hagrid shuddered as he spoke about Azkaban, as if recalling some horrible memory.
"No, believe me, you'll see them again soon," Albert said after some thought.
"That's not good news. Did you have another vision?" Hagrid asked, concerned.
"No, I didn't. But ever since Harry Potter came to Hogwarts, the school hasn't had a moment of peace. I wouldn't be surprised if something happens next semester," Albert said calmly.
"I hope nothing happens."
Hagrid poured a cup of tea for Albert and expressed his gratitude. "I heard from Dumbledore that you uncovered all the secrets and even faced the Basilisk attack."
"Harry took revenge for me." Glancing at the copy of the Daily Prophet on the table, Albert asked, "Are you looking for the article where the Ministry clears your name?"
"Yeah, I've been looking for it all morning. It's in the lower right corner of the third page," Hagrid grumbled. "To be honest, the Ministry isn't really sincere about this."
"That's normal, Hagrid." Sipping his tea, Albert smirked and said, "Do you expect Fudge to apologize to you? Even if he made a mistake, he wouldn't do something that would undermine his authority before it angers the public."
"You really dislike Fudge." Hagrid asked cautiously.
"No, I dislike all politicians." Albert replied without hesitation. "As for Fudge, with his personality, he'll probably be forced out of office eventually."
Hagrid only managed a forced smile. He could tell that Albert despised Fudge, so he changed the subject. "By the way, Dumbledore has agreed to let me take over Care of Magical Creatures class in place of Kettleburn."
"I don't recommend using that Monster Book of Monsters as a textbook. Believe me, most students won't like it," Albert advised.
"Why not?"
"Because that book bites. No one wants to get bitten while reading, and we're not as tough as you," Albert reminded him.
Hagrid looked disappointed, as this was clearly not what he had expected.
"Hagrid, there's something you should keep in mind," Albert cautioned him. "The students aren't like you, and they're not as passionate about this subject. Most magical creatures are too dangerous for them, so it's best not to bring them into the classroom, or you'll surely cause trouble."
Albert glanced at the task panel, pleased with the new task that had been triggered.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
